On Lift The Lid Day, a national bowel cancer charity is urging people to beat the taboo of talking about poo to raise awareness of an illness that kills 16,000 Britons a year.
By Nel Staveley
Last updated: 26 April 2015, 18:02 BST
Looking into the toilet bowl after you’ve been is not the most pleasant of experiences, but knowledge of your poo habits might just save your life.
Bowel cancer is currently the UK's second deadliest cancer, with someone dying of the disease every half an hour. But if it’s caught early it is treatable.
“We know that nine out of 10 cases of bowel cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed early”, says Mark Flannagan, chief executive of UK charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
Paramount to this early diagnosis is that people are aware of what’s going on with their poo, and that any persistent changes in the normal routine and any signs of blood are checked out immediately.
Don’t be embarrassed
If sufferers can overcome the embarrassment and face the doctor, that is.
“Too few people talk about the disease and sometimes embarrassment can even stop them from getting the help they need,” says Flannagan.
That’s why on April 22, Beating Bowel Cancer has launched Lift the Lid Day, encouraging people not just to lift the toilet lid and have a look, but also to lift the lid on a disease that kills 16,000 people a year.
“We ask people to have as many conversations about bowel cancer as possible,” Flannagan says.
“This will help to lift the taboo surrounding the disease and let everyone knows what symptoms to look out for so they can get them checked out as soon as possible.
“Whether it’s with family, work mates, friends or neighbours – on the phone, face-to-face or online, every conversation counts.”
And to start that conversation, here’s exactly what you need to know about poo and bowel cancer.
Warning sign 1: Stools with blood
Very often, blood in stools is from piles (haemorrhoids), especially if it is bright red, fresh blood – this is because piles are basically swollen veins in the back passage which can easily get damaged when you poo, causing a small amount of bleeding.
But if the blood seems darker, it could be a sign of cancer higher up in the bowel, which has time to go darker as it moves through the bowel. Your stool will be very dark, almost like tar. It could also be bleeding from an ulcer, but either way, you need to see the doctor and get it checked.
Warning sign 2: Looser stools
Everyone can have the odd bout of diarrhoea, from dodgy food, stress or (for women) that time of the month. But if you notice a change to your normal bowel habits that last longer than four to six weeks (though some experts say three), it needs to be checked. This is particularly the case if your stools are looser.
Warning sign 3: More frequent stools
Similar to above, if you notice you’re needing to go a lot more often (and haven’t really changed your diet), it could be an early sign that something’s up.
Warning sign 4: Straining to poo
Constipation, like diarrhoea, is something everyone might have occasionally, but like diarrhoea, if it’s ongoing, you need to aware. Sometimes the cancer tumour can block the bowel, leading to symptoms of intense pains in the abdomen, bloating, being sick, and being constipated.
Warning sign 5: Straining to poo but not actually ‘going’
Sometimes, feeling like you need to go, even though you don’t, can be an early symptom of bowel cancer.
5 other symptoms of bowel cancer
Remember not all these symptoms always mean cancer; and not all people will suffer the same symptoms. If you’re worried, see your doctor immediately.
Losing weight - without dieting, maybe due to having an reduced appetite, or feeling bloated or sick
Pain in your abdomen or back passage - constant or intermittent pain that may be linked to going to the toilet or might come and go
Unexplained tiredness
Breathlessness
Dizziness
For more information on symptoms, or anything else you’re worried about bowel cancer, visit Beating Bowel Cancer.
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